So, it’s exam week at my school. This means that you have all of these kids screaming around random facts in an effort to memorize them as they literally roll around the floor in heaps of papers and pencils. It’s borderline disgusting. And kind of infuriating. But I tried to not let it get in the way of my constant nerves and need to go to the bathroom every five minutes. And as a reward, they gave us a snowday.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with snowdays, it’s basically a day where it snows. A lot. Unless you’re in Virginia, where you get a snowday when it snows one inch.
But not at my house. We got about one meter of snow. That is 40 inches, people! Not gonna lie, it was the best day of my life. You just sit there and watch the angels shake their dandruff onto the earth, and fix yourself about 10 cups of hot chocolate. And this caramel. I know it doesn’t sound like something that fits into the cliche winter snowday movie scene, but trust me. It does. All you need is a Friends marathon, a jar of caramel and a spoon. Really. That is all.
This recipe also works well to give to people. It’s pretty special, and addictive like you wouldn’t believe. My mom has been making this for years, and it’s become a seasonal favorite in my family, especially once you add the vanilla from the vanilla bean. Yum! Enjoy!
Vanilla Caramel
Original Nerd With Taste Recipe
Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
2 cups corn syrup (light works best)
1/2 cup butter
2 cups cream
1 vanilla bean (or 1 tsp. vanilla extract, but vanilla bean enhances the caramel flavor a bit better)
Pinch of salt
Directions:
In a large saucepan, cook the sugar and syrup on low heat (118 degrees Celsius) until thick. Add the butter. Then, gradually add the cream so the mixture doesn’t stop boiling. Stir constantly, and cook until firm. Remove from heat and add the salt and the vanilla. If using vanilla extract, make sure the caramel mixture is not too hot, so the alcohol in the extract doesn’t react.
Pour into jars or into a cookie pan if you choose to cut it into pieces.
I adore snow days! In Seattle, like where you are, one or two inches renders the city completely useless; it’s great! I made salted caramel as x-mas gifts this year and it was indeed a hit. Excited to try your recipe!
Thanks! Hope you like it as much as I did (it went fast…)
This looks delicious. Ahh, wonderful snow days. We only get them about once a decade in San Antonio. But that’s okay, because I only like snow for 24 hours, and then it’s a major annoyance.
I know what you mean. Once you realize that spring could happen, you just stop liking snow… thanks!
Yum!
Ok, now this looks like something I would actually eat
Think the recipe will go home with me tonight
Thanks, I sure hope so!
This sounds absolutely amazing. I would pour it on ice cream and dunk cookies in it and all but roll around in it (that would make my hair too sticky).
Mmmm. Totally trying this one!
I know, right? Hahaha! Thanks!